Black-eyed Susans welcome visitors to Westport’s Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Friday’s heavy rain and strong winds may have contributed to the weakening of a large tree branch that fell across one lane in front of 19 North Ave., near Long Lots Road today. Police Officer Craig Bergamo used an ax to cut the fallen branch to help get it ready to be cleared from the area. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

More than 1,100 cyclists participated today in the seventh annual CT Challenge bike ride and raised $1,057,000 for cancer survivors, organizers said.

The cyclists gathered at Westport’s Fairfield County Hunt Club for the event which had riders registered for courses of 10, 25, 50, 75, or 100 miles.

“We want to thank all of the riders and volunteers from across Connecticut and across the country who joined us to ride in support of cancer survivors, making it a truly great statewide event and a great day for Connecticut,” said Bob Mazzone, the executive director of CT Challenge.

“There are now more survivorship programs in Connecticut than anywhere else in the U.S. today and we are proud to be providing support to many of them. The CT Challenge Bike Ride makes it all possible.”

UPDATE An early morning crash involving a Range Rover traveling along Greens Farms Road between Clapboard Hill Road and Sherwood Island Lane left a Westport woman uninjured but with a charge of driving while intoxicated on her birthday, police and fire officials said.

Assistant Fire Chief Robert Kepchar said the vehicle veered off the road, crashing into a utility pole, splitting it in half, at about 12:15 a.m. The crash left it dangling, he said.

Police later identified the driver as Erika Horn Miller of 302 Compo Road South, who turned 38 today. She was charged with operating under the influence and failure to keep right and released on $500 bond for a Aug. 11 court date.

Police said an officer could smell alcohol on her breath and that she failed field sobriety tests. She was taken into custody and was found to have breath test alcohol level results of .1675 and .1627 which is over the legal limit of .08, according to police.

By Phyllis Groner

The documentary “Old Is ... ,” which choreographs what keeps older adults young and vibrant, proves that age is relative. The film drew more than 100 to the Westport Center for Senior Activities Friday, and most agreed the 40-year-old documentary’s theme is timeless.
Tracy Sugarman (l) and Bill Buckley introduce their short documentary. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Created by local artist and author Tracy Sugarman and documentary film producer Bill Buckley, the film demonstrates that seniors who stay active lead longer, productive lives.

Local illustrator Howard Munce, who spoke on a panel following the film, offered proof. At 95, the Westport illustrator still draws and serves as a mentor to other artists, even setting up their exhibits.

“Westport is a great town for any artist,” said Munce, calling the Westport School Collection of 1,000 works “a marvelous thing that can’t be duplicated in any other town.”